When it comes to big and tall office chairs, what comes to our mind is a bulky chair with a large seat depth and seat width. And those who are tall at the same time usually pay attention to the seat height. That’s all.
But today I want to talk about big and tall office chairs and present some real needs of big and tall people.
I guarantee that my writings will not be just some so-called buying guide like others. You will know and understand many things that you need to know as a big and tall person.
Then for those who don’t have time to read all this, here I am suggesting some products. But if you read my post I promise you will know some unique information.
I will tell you which chair will be best for big and tall people based on their body dimensions and the way they use the chair. I will help you identify your acctual needs.
First of all, not all big and tall chairs and their user usage patterns are the same. Not all big and tall people have the same body type, such as some have long legs, and some have long spines or torsos whatever but short legs. On the other hand, most big and tall people are rough in terms of chair use. They usually use the chair in an unintentionally rough way.
I have already said that not all big and tall people have the same physical dimensions. Some have shorter legs and longer torsos or spines. So not all big and tall chairs will fit everyone.
Again, being big does not necessarily mean being tall. But looking at the chair market, it seems that if you are fat, you must be tall. Who will understand that being tall and big is not the same thing?
Also, those with a long spine or back need an extra higher back chair with a normal seat height chair. But you will find such chairs very rarely because most plus-size chairs have a very high minimum seat height. As a result, for those whose legs are relatively short, despite being long, these chairs do not fit perfectly. Also, those with long legs need a chair with a higher seat height.
Another thing is about back height. This feature is one of the most overlooked in the plus-size chair market but is just as important as seat height, seat depth, and width. Because sometimes the back height of the chair does not fit tall people, on the contrary, it becomes more annoying for them. Because the back height is short, the chair’s back headrest rarely reache the neck, so it’s neither a mid-back chair nor a high back, making it more bad than good. Also for tall people, the headrest of the chair does not fit because the headrest does not reach up to their neck. On the contrary, it comes under the solder, spoiling the comfort of the chair and making it uncomfortable. Therefore tall people need to avoid headrests.
Now let’s talk about the durability of the chair.
Since the chairs are designed for big and tall people, their durability will definitely be questioned. A chair usually fails in 4 places. They are Chair caster wheels, chair base, seat plate, and gas lift.
First, let’s talk about the caster wheel.
None of us pay attention to this, but this caster wheel malfunction causes all sorts of gas lift and seat plate problems. Normally we’d expect every chair to come with good quality casters, but it’s a shame that almost all chairs, even $800 chairs, come with basic nylon caster wheels. A very good quality top-notch rubber caster wheel will cost only $35. But all these companies offer nylon caster wheel even in an expensive high-end chair. This nylon caster wheel typically has a lifecycle of 100000 times. If these are high-quality nylon caster wheels, then. But chip chairs use more low-quality nylon caster wheels. However, if they just use rubber caster wheels by spending only 30 dollars extra, the durability of the chair would have increased many times.
Then came the issue of the gas lift and seat plate.
Many people don’t know what a seat plate is. On the seat plates, the main part of the chair, the entire seat itself, and the back are placed. The seat plate is placed under the seat and above the gas lift. All the control mechanisms of the chair come together with the seat plates. Tilt and seat height controls are all done from here. Hence it is called chair brain. So you understand its importance. If this seat plate is not made of good steel, the chair will not be able to take your weight. And for big and tall chairs, heavy-duty seat plates must be used. But one of the reasons for seat plates to be damaged is the caster wheel. If the wheel of the chair is faulty, the pressure on the seat plates is uncontrolled. That is, if there is more weight on one side, and less weight on the other side, the seat plates can be bent on one side, resulting in the chair leaning on one side. This is why I put so much emphasis on caster wheels in the first place.
Again there are 3 types of Gas Cylinders. Many people call it an office chair pneumatic cylinder. Generally, Class 3 and Class 4 are the best heavy-duty Gas Cylinders. Also, based on the production technology of Gas Cylinders, it has been divided into 3 series Welding Series, Curling Series, and Double Cone Series. Among these, Double Cone Series is the best for office chairs. Because of the design of the Double Cone series Gas Cylinders, the base and seat plate of the chair are very close to the Gas Cylinders. But most chairs, cheap or expensive, can’t separate their gas lift. While this is not a problem with normal chairs, Big and Tall chairs are different. In this case, the most powerful type of Gas Cylinders should be used.
But in most of the big and tall chairs, this aspect is neglected, because the customers do not pay attention to this aspect or they do not understand much about it, so the chair manufacturers focus more on the design of the chair and the leather or mesh material. The same is true for chair wheels, seat plates, and bases. All these parts of the chair are the core of a chair even if the customers do not notice them. And on these the durability of a chair depends. This is even more true for big and tall chairs.
Table of Contents
Best Big And Tall Office Chair
#1: La-Z-Boy Delano
Here I will present several things about the La-z-boy Delano chair.
Among them, I will tell all the qualities of this chair being a big and tall chair. I will present here whether this chair can meet the needs of big and tall people.
First of all, not all big and tall people have the same physical dimensions. I am talking about the difference in leg-to-upper body ratio. Simply put, this chair is perfect for those with long legs.
Because its minimum seat height starts from 21.5 inches. So if your height is less than 6 feet then this chair will not fit you. But if you are 5’11” and have long legs, this chair might fit you. I got such a review at List, that’s why I said it.
Thanks to its maximum 25″ inch height adjustment, even a giant. can fit in this office chair. Again if your height is insane like 6’10” then this chair will be best for you at least in terms of height.
However, there is one aspect that I have reservations about, and that is its back height.
It is a problem with most big and tall chairs that have low back height. I think a big and tall chair should have a back height of at least 30″ inches. However, for those whose body ratios aren’t odd, this chair’s 27″ back height will suffice. That is, if your legs are relatively long, then this chair is the best, and those who have a longer spine or torso should think about it if it works or not. But if your height is less than 6’4″ inches, it will work regardless of your body ratio. Its back width is only 21.5″ inches, and It seems to me quite narrow. But for people weighing 300 pounds or less, I think 21.5″ inches back is more than enough.
Here comes another important point. That is its weight-bearing capacity.
This chair can only hold up to 350 lbs. Yes, 350 pounds is enough but here you have to notice one thing. A chair should have a weight capacity of 10 to 20 percent more than your weight. Because a common habit of big and tall people is that they don’t sit in the chair normally. They usually flop or land on the chair. Yes, it happens unintentionally and without their knowledge. Maybe you do too but don’t realize it. But landing on a chair is a common habit of obese people. Because of their weight, when they bend their knees while sitting, they cannot bear the weight of their body naturally, so they slouch on the seat. So even though this chair can support 350 pounds, I would suggest that if you weigh 320 pounds or less, go for this chair and if you are 350 pounds, go for a stronger chair. But if you have a habit of sitting normally then no problem you can take it even if you weigh 350 pounds.
The La-z-boy Delano has a seat depth of 21 inches and a seat width of 21.5 inches, so it’s wide enough to fit your waist size 50 plus easily. But those who are a little too petite and have very thick hips, need a wider seat, 23″ inches is best.
The look of the La-z-boy Delano chair is at that level because it looks like a very elegant and plush chair.
Thanks to its wooden arm and five-star base. This chair is made of wood so it looks like a very luxurious chair. It is also upholstered with bonded leather. Many people do not like bonded leather chairs. But the problem is that they are not willing to spend more. A real leather chair will cost a bit more. For those who want a real leather chair, I would suggest the Gates Genuine Leather chair. Bonded leather is usually made by mixing fibers with shredded leather. As a result of this bonded leather, the cost of the product is very low and the price of the product is affordable.
And its seat and back cushions are very comfortable. Many prefer this feature that the seat of their chair is very comfortable and plush.
And in this case, this La-z-boy Delano is very comfortable. Of all the chairs on this list, only the Boss-Office-Products-B991 chair can beat this La-z-boy Delano in terms of cushioning. La-z-boy Delano uses memory foam in their seats. If you don’t know, this memory foam is used to make expensive therapeutic seat cushions. Because this foam is very resistant and its soft yet firm support helps keep the poster in place. This foam can spring back to its shape even if it is under pressure for a long time. If you are looking for a soft and plush seat chair, I swear this will be the best for you.
Now let’s talk about its durability.
Generally big and tall chair manufacturers give importance only to seat height, depth, and comfort. But the parts that are most important for a chair to be heavy-duty remain neglected. However, the La-z-boy Delano chair’s five-star base is made of wood, so it is quite strong and durable. But since it is made of wood, be careful of water. Its arms are similarly made of wood and wrapped in bonded leather. This chair uses a 6-inch Double Cone Series gas piston with a strong metal alloy seat pellet, on top of which the seat of this chair is placed. Its class 3 type gas lift is strong enough with 2 mm diameter outer tube and 1.2 mm diameter inner tube. So rest assured this gas cylinder can easily carry 350 lbs.
So this chair is best for those who are between 6 feet 4 inches to 5 feet 11 inches and weigh less than 320 pounds. For those who want a wooden but ergonomic chair
This is a unique chair.
#2 – HON Sadie Big and Tall Office Computer Chair
Many people want affordable big and tall chairs. So I have placed this chair here.
The HON Sadie Chair is made of mesh. Its seat is very comfortable and plush. The back of this chair is made of mesh, so this chair is best for those who have low heat tolerance or those who sweat a lot. Fat people usually have a higher body temperature, so mesh back chairs are good for them. And its seat is upholstered with fabric, so it won’t get hot if you sit for too long like a leather chair. And because of the fabric seat, it will not crack like the leather chair. However, it is true that fabric seats are difficult to clean.
The HON Sadie’s back width is 22″ inches, almost the same as the La-z-boy Delano. The HON Sadie’s seat is 22″ wide and 20.9 inches deep. It can be said that the difference between HON Sadie and La-z-boy Delano is very little. But HON Sadie’s armrest is adjustable. You can extend its armrest to a maximum of 8.4 inches. Which is not possible with La-z-boy Delano. However, HON Sadie’s armrest is not leather upholstered like La-z-boy Delano. But I like armrests that are not leather upholstered. Because rubber or plastic armrests make it easy to slide the hand, it is convenient to work. Also, leather upholstered armrests usually crack or wear out quickly because the armrests have the most friction with our hands, so cracks on the armrests of the chair turn into eyesores and the chair doesn’t look good. So plastic or rubber armrests are better. Even the armrests of expensive chairs like Steelcase or Herman Miller Aeron are made of plastic and rubber.
HON Sadie’s height is adjustable from 19.2 inches to a maximum of 22.85 inches. So this chair can be used by big and tall people of almost all heights. La-z-boy Delano is only suitable for extra tall people as its minimum seat height is 21.5 inches which are only suitable for 6 feet people but this chair can be used by 5.7-inch people. Class 3 5-inch Double Cone Series Gas Cylinder is used in this chair. So this chair can be used by 5.6 inches to 6.3-inch people. Again, due to the design of the Double Cone Gas Cylinder, it is very firmly attached to the base of the chair, so it provides more balance and durability.
However, its caster wheels are of very cheap quality nylon. I suggest you spend $35 and get good quality rubber wheels. This will increase the durability of your chair’s seat plate and piston. You can also stay safe. But if your height is very short below 5.8 inches then there will be a problem with rubber wheels. That is, the height of the chair will increase. But if you are tall and want to add more height, then it is the best way to go for top-notch rubber wheels. It will also increase the durability of your chair.
#3 – Gates Genuine Leather High Back Executive Chair
For those who don’t mind increasing their budget And also don’t like bonded leather, this chair is the best. The Gates big and tall chair by Zuri Furniture is made of Genuine Leather. So those who don’t like bonded leather or vinyl leather chairs can check it out. But you should remember that real leather chairs will cost more. This is why most chair and sofa companies make their products with bonded leather. Because bonded leather is better and more durable than other comparable fake leathers. The La-z-boy Delano and Flash Furniture HERCULES chairs on this list are made of bonded leather, so their prices are relatively low.
Zuri Furniture’s Gates big and tall chair is ahead of all chairs including La-z-boy Delano, Flash Furniture HERCULES, HON Sadie, and Wave. An easy way to check the quality of a chair is to look at the base of the chair. Generally, chair bases are made from 3 types of materials. From Nylon, Aluminum Alloy, and Chrome Polished Iron. The nylon base is usually made from a combination of plastic pp and fiber. It is used instead of metal because its price is low and it is used in almost all cheap chairs. And the most expensive and durable star base of the chair is made from aluminum alloy. It is more expensive and has the highest weight-bearing capacity. This type of base is very durable and rust-proof. Therefore, this aluminum base is used only in expensive and high-end chairs. And the Gates Genuine Leather chair uses this aluminum alloy material so it can bear more weight and it will not rust, and it looks very luxurious. The weight capacity of this chair is 395 pounds, but I would not recommend more than 340 pounds. Because as I said earlier take a chair with more capacity than your weight.
Its seat height can be adjusted from 18.75-21.75″ inches. It uses a double cone standard size 5″ gas lift. So it can be used by anyone big and tall from 5.6″ to 6.4″ tall. And this Synchro-Tilt Reclining Mechanism is used in the chair. There are 3 types of Tilt Reclining Mechanisms such as back tilt, seat tilt, and Synchro-Tilt. Among them, the Synchro-Tilt Mechanism is the new and standard tilt mechanism. If you want to understand easily, I will say if you Tilt the back of the chair at 10 degrees angle, at the same time the seat of the chair will be tilted by 5 degrees. Which is 50%. This mechanism is being used in high-end chairs because it increases the ergonomics of the chair. But in the normal seat tilt mechanism, both the seat and the back will tilt at the same angle. As a result, chair reclining Comfort decreases.
Its best features are its Genuine Leather and high-quality material Aluminum alloy base and armrests. It also has one great feature that tall people will love, and that is its back height. Its back height is 32″ inches. Most big and tall chairs do not have this type of high back office chair. Most have a back height of 23 to 28″ inches. But its back height is 32 inches, which means that even with a height of 6.10 inches, it will fit you perfectly. La-z-boy Delano, Flash Furniture HERCULES, HON Sadie, and HON Wave are not as high back as Gates Genuine Leather. Only Boss-Office-Products-B991 can be said to be in the second position with a back height of 29″ inches. But Gates Genuine Leather chair is ahead with a back height of 32 inches. Its seat width is about 23 inches so it can easily be called a plus-size chair.
The nylon caster wheels that come with it are also excellent with a life cycle of 100,000 times. Whereas the lifecycle of cheap nylon wheels is only 10000-20000 times. But I would say spend the $35 and get the top-notch rubber caster wheels. This will increase the height of the chair and increase the durability and balance of the chair’s seat plate and piston.
Anyway, this is the best for those who want a luxurious chair made of professional slick, genuine leather. And for those looking for a true high back big and tall office chair, I don’t think there’s anything better.
#4 – Flash Furniture HERCULES Series
This chair is also a leather chair. But what sets it apart from other chairs on this list is its weight-bearing capacity. All other chairs have a weight capacity of 350 to 400 pounds. But Flash Furniture’s HERCULES Series chair can hold up to 500 pounds. Class 4 Gas Lift of Double Cone Series is used in it. Only class 3 and class 4 are the best-grade office chair gas cylinders. Class four is used only in the highest quality and heavy-duty chairs. Because only Class 4 grade gas cylinders can take 500 pounds.
Again, it is not only because of the good gas cylinders that this chair is able to carry a huge weight like 500 pounds but also its base has to be strong and sturdy. Any chair with a nylon base cannot support 500 pounds. So chrome base is used in this chair. The chrome base is basically made from iron and this iron is coated with a type of alloy called chromium. As a result, the iron does not rust and looks shiny and luxurious. So the chrome base has the strength of iron and the beauty of chrome polish at the same time. So rest assured that its chrome base can hold your weight perfectly.
But I didn’t like the nylon caster on this chair either. Especially when this chair is claimed to hold nearly 500 pounds. I would suggest spending the extra $20-$30 on a good set of caster wheels.
It is not a real or genuine leather chair like Gates Genuine Leather. But its leather quality is very good soft and buttery. But the leather layer is very thin but very soft and comfortable.
Another aspect of this chair is its back height and headrest. The only chair I’ve seen looks like an executive chair, but the top of the back is adjustable. It has no separate headrest but I am talking about the top part of its back. The upper part of its back can be adjusted. As a result, the backrest of this chair can be extended from 27″ inches to 30 inches. Thanks to its 30″ long backrest, even if you are giant in height, there will be no problem. Imagine you are a big guy at 6 feet 6 inches and weighing 450 pounds. . There can be no better option than this. Yes now comes to the question of whether it can cover your height. Of course, because it uses a 6-inch size Double cone Gas lift. And 6-inch size Gas lift is only used for making chairs for extra-tall people. This chair will be perfect for people from 6 feet to 6.10 inches in height. Its seat height adjustment range is from 21.5 to 24″ inches.
With its 22-inch seat width and 21-inch seat depth along with its 30-inch adjustable backrest, this chair is undoubtedly a behemoth. If you’re looking for a plus-size chair, you won’t find a better option. And for those who value comfort more, its 6-inch thick seat will be comfortable for anyone. Only Boss-Office-Products-B991 and La-z-boy Delano can be compared to Flash Furniture HERCULES Series for a plush and comfortable seats and backs. Also the best heavy-duty office chair with its chrome base and armrests and class 4 gas lift as well as a luxurious executive chair that looks good.
#5 – Boss Office Products B991 Heavy Duty
One of my favorite big and tall chairs is this Boss Office Products B991. Proof of that is that I’ve included this chair in reviews on this product list ever since. I first wrote this article in 2017, but now that it’s 2023, I’m still putting this product in this roundup post of my best big and tall chairs. I have updated this article 4 times, removed many old chairs, and added many new chairs, but the Boss Office Products B991 chair is still here.
However, the main reason to keep this chair here is its sturdiness. This chair is made entirely of iron. Its armrests and base backrest are all made of iron frame. Now tell me how to avoid such a chair for big and tall people. Well, now you can say that since it is made of cast iron it might not be very comfortable. But you would be wrong to think that this chair is heavily padded on its iron frame.
In terms of cushioning, I would put it above the La-z-boy Delano and the Flash Furniture HERCULES. Let’s say La-z-boy Delano and Flash Furniture HERCULES were my first and second choice for comfortable seats and back cushions. Boss Office Products B991 has a double layer padded back and seat. I would put it at number one for its cushioning. You can’t complain about its cushioning. And if someone doesn’t find its thickly padded seat and back comfortable, I don’t know if any other chair seat in the world would feel comfortable for him/her.
I know another question on your mind is whether the seat size is right for you. Actually, no one can tell you exactly what size you need. But because of the large seat and high backrest of this chair, a whole hippo can fit in it, I can tell you why. Its seat size is 22.5-inch seat width and 19″ inch seat depth. The back height of this chair is 29″ inches. And the seat height can be adjusted from 19 to 22 inches. Also, you will be safe from hip pain or sciatica pain due to its waterfall seat edge. Because of its seat design, your legs will not get tired or put any pressure.
And its weight capacity is 400 pounds which is surprising but true that this chair can take 100 pounds less weight than Flash Furniture HERCULES Series. And the reason for this is two, firstly HERCULES Series uses 6-inch class 4 gas cylinder, and its base is made of aluminum alloy material. Aluminum alloy is the best-grade material for making chair bases and has more weight-bearing capacity than the iron base. On the other hand, In Boss Office Products B991 a 5-inch size gas cylinder is used and provided with an iron base which can take less weight than aluminum alloy and a 6-inch size gas lift. Boss B991 chair has a lower weight capacity than HERCULES Series due to these two reasons. However, the Boss B991 chair can be used by people between 5 feet 5 inches to 6 feet 4 inches. Whereas the minimum seat height of Flash Furniture HERCULES is high, so it will be difficult for someone below 5 feet 10 inches to use it.
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